The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the personal particulars and credentials of President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, showing that he listed only his university qualification while leaving the sections for primary and secondary school education blank on the summary page of his nomination form.
A review of Tinubu’s Form EC9, published by INEC in line with the Electoral Act, indicates that the President declared a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Business Administration from Chicago State University, obtained in 1979, under the section for higher education. The spaces designated for primary and secondary school qualifications on the summary page were left blank.
The documents also include Tinubu’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate and details of his employment history, including his time with Mobil Nigeria and his service as Governor of Lagos State before becoming President.
The publication has generated public discussion, particularly in light of previous controversies surrounding Tinubu’s educational records during the 2023 presidential election. However, legal experts note that the omission of primary and secondary school details on the summary page does not, by itself, determine a candidate’s constitutional eligibility.
Section 131 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) requires a presidential candidate to be educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent. The Constitution does not expressly require candidates to list their primary or secondary schools on the nomination form, provided they meet the prescribed educational threshold. In addition, Section 29 of the Electoral Act, 2022, allows any person who believes a candidate submitted false information to challenge the nomination in court within the stipulated period.
INEC’s publication of candidates’ credentials is part of the statutory process designed to promote transparency by allowing members of the public to inspect the documents submitted by candidates seeking elective office. As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency nor INEC had issued any additional statement regarding the omission of the primary and secondary school entries beyond the publication of the nomination documents.
